A panel of South Dakota lawmakers debated ways this week to potentially change key parts of the state’s new medical-cannabis program.
The debates come just a year after 70% of South Dakota voters said yes to Initiated Measure 26, and just weeks before a November 18 deadline to start issuing cards to patients and care-givers.
The Legislature’s Marijuana Study Committee have made several recommendations with one calling for allowing a maximum of three home-grown marijuana plants, as well as removing the requirement that a physician’s sign-off is needed.
Another recommendation would open the way for nurse practitioners and physician assistants to be eligible for patient approvals too. Another would allow a landlord to impose “reasonable restrictions” on medical cannabis use by cardholders at the landlord’s property.
Another calls for a civil penalty up to $1,000 against a medical cannabis establishment for each violation that isn’t otherwise covered.
More recommendations include requiring photo IDs for cardholders and care-givers. Another would cut the time to dispose of medical cannabis from 15 days to 24 hours for patients who no longer qualify for a card.
The committee endorsed some 20 sets of recommendations and defeated just as many during a long day that started at 8:30 a.m. and ended at 6:40 p.m on Wednesday.
